Chapter 18: Your Enemy
The fields of Hyrule groaned under the stress of the monster that pounded through its scorched flesh. The world seemed to focus on nothing more than the two figures perched in this picture of dramatic struggle. With the whole world as his stage, the wind as his battle cry, Link knocked an arrow with brutal precision, and fired an icy projectile at the beast's extremities. The arrow contacted a ball of fire that erupted from its target's gigantic maw, and was neutralized. Steam filled the night air, and the stage flared with another ball of fire, dissipating some of the obscuring mist. The spot previously occupied by a man was completely alone. Where are you hiding?
Link took advantage of what precious time he had to attend the fairy at the foot of the tree. She snoozed silently, like a child, her arms sprawled behind her. Link shook her lightly, a scared but determined look etched onto his face. She woke slowly, apparently not particularly ecstatic about waking up. She sighed softly and opened her eyes slowly. Crystal blue eyes responded to Link's pleas— they were much kinder than before.
Her eyes widened further, and she looked inquisitively at the man before her. Link pointed frantically at the beast covered in fog in the middle of the field. The fairy gestured vaguely at the back of her head, made some punching motions, then curled into the cloak further and fell asleep. Link held a bemused expression at this as he placed the recovering zola next to her.
The great beast sniffed the air, and flapped its headfins. The air did not respond. He seemed to smile with what little humanity he had in his face; he managed to hop swiftly to the left and dodged another frozen arrow that erupted from what was left of the fog. Ah, you've decided to fight back!
Despite the blatant appearance of a new threat, there still was no trace of his foe. The great Zola seemed to frown with irritation. I'm tired of mind games. Do you wish to stand and fight or not? The beast lurked forward, sniffing lightly around. A whirring sound presented itself rudely to his ears. What? Something approached the inhuman bulk, and it was zigzagging violently, whirring along with determination.
The beast sniffed, mouth closed, and eyed a small rodentlike object that appeared to be the source of the noise. A bombchu approached without hesitation to its target's growls. It whirred slightly more, hit a rock, and exploded. The creature looked at this, and sniffed slightly. It had done nothing whatsoever. However, there was a man clothed in green at the foot of the beast.
The flesh of the beast next to Link was extremely rough and smelly, and he mentally remarked so to himself as he shot a headless ice arrow into the extremities of the opponent. Blue light encased every corner of the monster, freezing his legs to the unfortunate ground beneath him. What!? What have you done!? Link stepped back, and started trying to climb up the thrashing beast. Stop that! Get off me! Link, who was clinging to the upper portion of the foe's leg, which was as large as a tree, grunted as he tried to keep his grip, but failed and was thrown to the ground at the front of the zola.
Link's attacker grunted in what sounded like an odd mocking laugh, then broke his right foot free, and stomped on Link, binding him to the ground by his chest. Link was severely hurt; his head was spinning, and he could taste blood. The offender's hot breath blew Link's hair back, which was now free; being knocked off had thrown his hat to the ground. The beast blew more heated breath into his prey's face. Link could barely feel it, just like he couldn't feel his arms or legs. Bah! Such weak ice! So, this is the end, isn't it? Surely you have nothing to say before your life is extinguished?
The occupied man under the foot of the likewise occupied creature clenched his bared teeth and moved his arms weakly. You couldn't save him. You're totally worthless., the voice rumbled, as the gargantuan jaw of the monster widened, flaming saliva dripping around Link. You put up a good fight, though. It's too bad there aren't more like you. For them, I mean. For me, it would mean death. The abnormality smiled at Link to his face, which was determined in trying to survive.
Flesh was melting around the outline of what seemed like an inhuman face in the middle of the forehead of the towering behemoth. Globs of liquid substance parted and fell in puddles around Link's face. A familiar purple-haired mask slowly emerged from it, staying put in the midst of the parting skin. Worthless.
Something caught in Link's throat.
"You're so worthless, Link." A young boy in a green hat and tunic pulled at his eye and stuck his tongue out at Link, likewise dressed. Link had fallen into the water trying to hop over the stepping stones in a pool of water to get something for Saria. Link had tears in his eyes, denying under his breath that he was worthless. His arm was scratched, but his prize was protected to the last; he'd held it over the water desperately, despite not knowing how to swim very well.
Saria approached the two, with a concerned glance at Link. She took Link by the shoulders and spoke softly. "What happened?"
Mido chimed in; "He tripped jumping over the stones again. What a loser." Mido scoffed and turned around as he saw Saria tending to Link's wound. Link shrugged her off and offered her the result of his effort; a clean fruit, picked from a high tree. He was shivering from the cold of the water. Saria smiled and took the fruit happily, giving him half.
Mido folded his arms in contempt, mumbling. "Totally worthless…"
Later that day, Mido kicked Link to the ground and lifted him by the front of his tunic. "You're worthless! This forest doesn't need you! It would be better if you ran away and didn't come back!" The cruel child threw Link to the ground clenching his teeth, and walked away.
Link's breath was being crushed out of him, his legs had ceased to kick. Perhaps he was worthless. The mask was mocking him with its vacantly open mouth. He had to at least figure out who it was he had failed to save. Link used some of the last of his strength to take out something that never seemed to occur to him. The Lens of Truth. A loud ringing was present in the man's ears and his vision started to blur. He slid the Lens over his eye, and all became clear. His eye was moving around on its own accord from the crushing pressure being applied to him. They jerked back and forth, but the glowing flames at the back of the creature's throat gave something for him to focus on. The Lens vanquished the bright fire from his vision as he focused on his vicious foe.
A man, arms and legs suspended like a marionette, hung lifeless inside of the Zola, unmoving. His hair matched the hair of the mask, and his build and clothes were familiar. It was Kafei.
Suddenly, life seemed to return to Link, and his eyes cleared. He thrashed under the heavy foot crushing his lungs. The zola stopped charging his flames and looked Link in the face. You still think you can win? Link's hands had gone to work trying to lift the leg off himself. He was crazed, now, trying with all his might to destroy the thing controlling his friend.
Hahaha! You're going to suffocate yourself at this rate! There's no way you'll be able to harm me under there! Link continued thrashing, his arms and legs moving to the best of their ability. Link's arms started to move more slowly, his legs kicked less fiercely. Link's arm had flailed behind him, and, in his rage, he grabbed the ice rod from his back and slammed it into the zola's leg. It froze instantly, and the beast reared, kicking Link far from his own reach. He was completely suppressed by ice that grew to even his other extremities.
Link ignored all pain and got up, charging at the beast yelling fiercely, wielding the Great Fairy's Sword in both hands. Link stabbed into the ice prison, using his sword as a pick to use for leverage. He hopped swiftly onto the monster's face, and bashed the screaming insect on it with the hilt of his sword. After a few blows, the bug fell over onto the ground, curled its legs into a fist, turned black, and exploded into a cloud of dark squares.
Link's strength faltered completely. The beast under him fell forward with all its weight, breaking the ice and making a sickening snapping noise that came from one of its front legs. The fairy was missing from the tree, flitting above the scene holding the other unconscious zola on her back. She waved her arm, and the remaining ice dissipated. Link was unstirring on the mouth of the slowly breathing creature underneath him.
She floated forward.
-Chapter End-
